Globalization

Globalization is a complex issue, which makes finding its net affect difficult. There are many in favor of this revolution, such as Thomas Friedman, as well as many opposed to it, such as Kurt Vonnegut. I believe that even though globalization has both negative and positive affects, it is overall beneficial to our lifestyles. Like we have learned from Thomas Friedman, we are currently in the third stage of Globalization, also known as Globalization 3.0. In this stage, technology has overcome machines. Many of us see this in our daily lives, whether it is walking down the street, working in our place of employment, or using it within our own homes. Now it is time for those of us who are not in favor of it, to embrace it, or be left behind. This is where Globalization may have some negative effects on our lives. We have seen the gap between rich and poor widen. While the rich are able to adapt, the poor are incapable of keeping up. Another harmful affect Globalization has had on our world is the risk of losing some of our world’s unique traditions and cultures through the spread of Westernization. However, Globalization has had, and will continue to have, some positive effects on our lives as well. Starting with Microsoft Windows, we are now able to digitize information, and share it with anyone anywhere in the world via the internet. Now, anyone who has access to the internet has access to never ending amounts of information using a usable search engine. Companies are catching on, and outsourcing and off-shoring for quicker and cheaper labor and products. This has allowed the pieces of our global supply chain to unite. All of these “flatteners”, as Friedman calls them, has allowed our world to evolve into an age where technology surrounds us. We are all affected by Globalization, so it is time to embrace this beneficial change.
Image: http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/~rachelreeves/globalization.jpg